Sophie Berkal-Sarbit: Young & Foolish

[Benjamin A. Vazquez U.E.]

Young & Foolish

Artist: Sophie Berkal-Sarbit
Album: Young & Foolish
Year: 2010
CD#: 48835
Localish?: From Winnipeg, but currently living in Toronto, album released in Toronto
Canadian? Yes
Best Tracks: #1, #3, #6, #8
Comments Overall: This is an amazing C.D. Very energetic throughout. Sophie's voice has a positively enchanting quality to it. The back-up is equally impressive.

1. I'm Gonna Live Till I Die, 3:11 - Energetic beginning, very active, lovely all round.
2. Letter From Home, 4:00 - Steady rhythym, limited range of notes in the vocals, excellent brass.
3. Until, 5:15 - Soft, slow, full-bodied, dreamy.
4. Young and Foolish, 4:36 - Very slow, rich voice, heartfelt.
5. Love For Sale, 4:09 - Jazzy, raw, devil-may-care.
6. Pick Somebody Up, 4:57 - Strong rhythym, somewhat folksy character - the track is the opening for "Classical Plus".
7. Why Don't You Do Right?, 3:17 - Classic rendition of a classic.
8. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise, 4:37 - Jazzy, rhythmic, smoke-filled 1920's club feel.
9. Lush Life, 5:45 - Sad, slow, beautiful.
10. Grandma's Hands, 4:18 - Earthy quality, congo drums, guitars
11. Long As You're Living, 3:13 - Energetic, active, strong brass.
12. The Peacocks, 6:46 - Slow, deliberate, slightly morose, almost mathmatical.

Website: www.sophieberkalsarbit.com/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/sophieberkalsarbit
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Sophie-Berkal-Sarbit/8464788186

[Benjamin A. Vazquez U.E.]

A review for this C.D. has been needed since it appeared in the studio. I fell in love with it immediately, took it home to listen to it before it was even technically a part of our collection, and have played something from it on nearly every one of my shows since. This is damn good music.

Sophie arrived in Toronto last June from her native Winnipeg where she released "Gypsy in my Soul" at the tender age of sixteen. Even then, reviewers were comparing her to Ella Fitzgerald and her ilk. The new C.D. carries on similarly.

In very much the same tradition as London's own Sonja Gustafson, Sophie Berkal-Sarbit sings jazz classics with a pure, deep voice. She's backed by an incredible band. Yet she goes beyond by recording much of her own music. She sings, constantly, with a deep appreciation for life, and a determination to live it regardless of the consequences. The spirit is open and welcoming. Peaceful and vivacious.

- Reviewed by Benjamin A. Vazquez, U.E.

[Benjamin A. Vazquez U.E.]

To have one CD under your belt when you’re only 19 is quite an accomplishment. For Sophie Berkal-Sarbit to be releasing her second at that age is a marvel. Berkal-Sarbit has a background in musical theatre that shows in her singing style, which has a gutsiness and assurance beyond her tender years.

Piano master Bill King produced and arranged the 12 covers on the album that opens with the heart-starter I’m Gonna Live Till I Die and moves through songs by a range of old and new composers including Porter’s Love for Sale and Strayhorn’s gorgeous, desolate Lush Life. Refreshingly, newer songs like Sting’s Until and Pick Somebody Up by Raul Midón also get reworked here.

King has assembled a roster of local luminaries like drummer Davide di Renzo and Duncan Hopkins on bass. As always, Rob Piltch brings much to the mix with his gorgeous nylon-string guitar work. “Young and Foolish” can be found on iTunes as well as in stores across Canada.

www.thewholenote.com/index.php/booksrecords2/jazzaimprovised/3745-young-a-foolish-sophie-berkal-sarbit